Lot n° 98
Estimation :
8000 - 10000
EUR
Result with fees
Result
: 13 713EUR
Napoléon Ier (1769-1821) - Lot 98
Napoléon Ier (1769-1821)
12 L.S. "Napo," "Nap" or "NP," and one unsigned letter, Vitebsk (often written Witepsk) July 28-August 12, 1812, to Archchancellor
CAMBACÉRÈS; the letters are written by Méneval, except one by Mounier; 3 pages and 11 half-pages in-4. [638-650]
Napoleon to Vitebsk.
July 28 (unsigned). "My Cousin, I have arrived at Witepsk. On the 26th and 27th we had battles which were extremely advantageous to us all. Two Russian Generals were killed; we took a good number of prisoners, and captured all the enemy's positions.
His loss is estimated at 7 or 8,000 men, ours may amount to 4 or 500. The enemy showed us his army, as if to receive a battle, but he evacuated Witepsk. We are thus masters of the whole course of the Duina. The heat is quite strong today. - The Emperor left the army and went to Moscow with Grand Duke Constantine. In the fight that the Pce d'Eckmuhl sustained at Mohilow the Russians lost 2 generals
Russians, 3000 men & 1500 prisoners. That is for your information and so that you do not have any concern"...Méneval adds: "This letter is sent without being signed by order of the Emperor, S.M. going up on horseback to go forward".
July 29. "You will see by the Bulletin what there is new here. Business is going as well as can be expected; we are masters of the great defensive and offensive positions of the country between the Borysthene and the Dwina"... - He is surprised by "the conduct of the Prefect of Lille. To dispossess a private individual of his own house by the Departmental Guard & by a kind of blockade is an act of tyranny which is not seen in Turkey.
My intention is that this affair be discussed at the Council of State by a contentious commission [...] If it is evident by the simple analysis of documents that the Prefect is guilty, it is necessary to declare him suspended from his functions, until he is judged. This example is necessary because justice is the first need of the people, especially in such an extended Empire"... July 30. "There is nothing new. The enemy is concentrating, so it seems, to cover Smolensk. We stand in line to rest for a while and refresh ourselves. The heat is horrible, worse than in the southernmost countries; one feels that it is not natural"... July 31. "The heat is still extremely high, up to 26 degrees.
Business continues to go well, as you will see from the bulletin"... August 2. "You have received the 10th bulletin. You will receive the 11th tomorrow. Everything is going very well here. The heat is excessive and has lasted for about eight days"... August 4. "The Bulletin gives you the latest news. The Duke of Reggio [Oudinot] has had advantageous combats near Polotsk, in which he took 14 cannon and three thousand prisoners"... August 5. "We continue to experience excessive heat here"... August 6. "I send you a letter from the opera makers. You feel that I have something else to do than to deal with these trinkets. I give you full power to arrange this matter"... August 7. "The heat here is extremely high. Business continues to go well; my health is very good"... August 11. "My Cousin, I received your letter of July 28; there is nothing new here. - My Cousin, I received your letter of July 29, where I see that there is nothing new, and that the harvest is looking very good everywhere. ....
August 12. "I leave at midnight to go to the Borysthene. We will probably march on Smolensk. It is possible that we will have a battle. Keep this to yourself in order not to worry anyone"...
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